Chapter One: The Beginning of a New Life
I awoke with a painstaking headache. Where was I? Normally, I would wake up in a little yellow room with my twin sized bed and my technology. I looked around, the area was blurry. That was when I realized I didn't have my glasses on I desperately needed. I felt the ground in a panic. Where are they? Where are they?
Did the eye wear stay at home where I wasn't? Then I felt specs on the ground and sighed in relief. I fixated the glasses onto my face and took a glance at the area and me. I looked about the same, still had my dark brown hair, still had my thin body and my squishy stomach, still had my black shorts on with a white t-shirt. The only change I found was on my wrist, markings. The language looked like scribbles, yet each wrist had different markings.
After staring at the strange markings on my wrist, I got up and surveyed the area. The area was silent to a extent. I heard crickets like I would hear on the top of my hill, but this place looked like it was Terra-formed. The trees looked placed in certain spots, and the pool of water looked like a perfect circle. The grass was a vibrant green even though it was night.
"I know I can't stay here," I thought to myself.
So I headed into the strangely placed trees and continued to walk for what seemed like an hour. When the sun was starting to rise, I found a town. The roads were concrete, and most of the houses were made of wood with stone foundations. Even though I was shy, I still had to head into the town to ask where I was. Walking on the concrete barefoot is very painful. So I made my way to the first house I saw. I stood there for a moment out of feeling nervous. I walked slowly up the stairs that led to the front porch to find the front door opening. I froze in place. My eyes were met with the confused eyes of a human women.
Out of fear I spoke first, "I am so sorry to disturb you but could you tell me where I am? I don't really know where I am and I woke up in the forest outside the city-" She cut me off.
"Young man, why in the world would you be coming up to knock on my door?" She said in a angry tone of voice. Yet, her voice was to sweet to sound evil.
"Like I said, I don't know where I am or how to get home." At this point I was horrified, who would believe a young guy with a 'excuse' like that. I started to break into tears as she stared into my soul. I thought she was pulling for a weapon of some sort at her door, but instead she reached for a coat and walked up to me.
"Take this coat it is pretty cold outside, come in and we will talk more okay?" She said in a kind and soothing tone. I just shook my head yes and followed her inside.
However, once I was inside, the woman sat me down at her dining room table and went into the kitchen.
I assumed she was on the phone with her boss or co-worker after hearing her state. "I can't come in today, something came up." When she finished her call she came back with two cups of tea and sat down.
"Where do live?" She asked while handing me a cup of the tea.
I told her where I came from and described the area. "I don't think I have ever heard of that place. Is it foreign?" She asked with a concerned look on her face.
I told her it was in the United States of America. She ended up bursting into laughter. "Where is that supposed to be? Somewhere in space?"
I sat there in confusing. The U.S. Doesn't exist?After she calmed down she looked at my confused face and became concerned again. "You are not lying to me are you?"
I shook my head no and ask a question in the most serious tone I could muster. "Where are we?"
She stated we are in Vale Hills, Azure Peak. I asked where is that located. She said it was in the land of Unium. I sat for a minute or two trying to process everything that was just said. I'm not in my world? How did this happen? If what she says is true how do I get home? I began to cry after thinking about all the family and friends I might not ever see again. She wrapped her arm around me and began comforting me.
For the most part, I calmed down, then she let go and asked. "Do you have anywhere to go?"
I thought for a moment. I don't know how to get home. I have no currency. I couldn't live on my own.
I stated no and she said with a truthful heart. " Then you can stay with us until you can get home."
I smiled and then asked who else live here? "My husband and my son." She said with a smile.
After she stated that, I got a good look at her, and we learned a lot about each other. She had long blond hair with brown highlights, Her figure was slender but it looked like she worked out. Her eyes were a deep blue and she seems like a kind woman. While talking, she seemed to have that bubbly attitude, but with a feisty and fierce side. I learned that her name was Lily, and that her husband's name was Mike, as well as her son's name, Zeke.
I also learned her and her husband's professions. Lily is technology creator, and Mike is a law enforcer. I told her that I want to be something like she is. I told her about my family and things I did for fun. Then she asked what my ability was.
"What do you mean by ability?" I asked pondering on what she meant by it.
"An ability is something you have at birth, like control over a element. The ability to learn new skills as time moves on."
Now I was really confused. She must of noticed my deep thought and she showed me what her ability was. What I saw was incomprehensible. She chanted in a language I did not recognize, and a keyboard of blue appeared alongside a few screens. I watched in amazement. After she was finished with her flashy powers she asked. "Do you remember what your ability is now?"
I still shook my head no.
"Well you have the language of abilities on your arms let me read it."
She stated as she grabbed my arms to read the wrist's writings. "Huh, that's a bit strange. One wrist states,'By God you shall protect', and the other wrist states,
'By God you shall Heal'."
I was amazed by the speed she was able to read the unknown language. Then thought to myself about the words she said.
She then snaps me back to reality,"I guess you really don't know what these mean? Well, maybe one day you will find out."
As soon as she said that, a man walked in and looked at us both. He looked like he was strapping, about 6 foot. He had a pair of menacing glasses and a well-built body, probably because he was a law enforcer. His voice was deep and forceful.
"I'm back... Who is this?" He said looking concerned.
"Welcome home dear! This is a kid we plan to take care of." She said in a kind yet forcefully manner, I would not want to be on Miss Lily's bad side.
"So how did you meet this 'kid'." He stated as he took off his coat and eyed me down.
"He ended up on our door step this morning; he says he awoke in the forest and he is from a place called, The United States." She stated with a smile.
"That's a bit strange don't you think? How do you know he isn't lying?"
I was being being talked about right in front of me, and it made me feel very uncomfortable, so I ended up saying a few words myself.
"I apologize for disrupting you two, but being talked about, and not acknowledging that I'm right here, is kinda rude." I said in the kindest tone possible.
The well-built man glared at me. "I am a police officer that can take you to jail for entering without permission, this is private property."
"Mike calm down; he is just scared. He just entered a new place and doesn't know much of where he is." Miss Lily stated glancing puppy dog eyes at him.
"I apologize, but you are a complete stranger that ended up in our house and you are not even dressed properly." Mike stated as he looked at me.
Mike was right. I was wearing night clothes, and my hair was a mess.
"Then how about we go out and get him some actual clothes?" Miss lily stated as she started to get her purse and jacket.
"Honey, we can't just take in another kid; we need to see if he is in the system, or has a missing report." He said pulling up a app on his phone.
"Kid put your thumb there." He said forcefully as he grabbed my hand and put my thumb on the phone's screen. After he pulled away his eyes widened.
"This can not be possible. He doesn't even exist!" Mike uttered taking a closer look at me.
"See? Now we can take him in and no one will worry about him. I also feel Zeke needs someone closer to his age to relate to. We can give him the guest bedroom." Miss Lily vocalized with a big grin on her face.
Mike had no words and never did I. We just accepted the fact that his wife was going to take me in whether we both wanted it or not.
So, since I could not go to the clothing store in what I was wearing, Miss Lily made me throw some of Zeke's clothing on and a pair of Mike's flipflops. Zeke's clothing looked big on me. I think Zeke has more muscle than me, due to all the muscle shirts in his closet.
The vehicle the couple put me in looked like any normal Jeep. The inside was a different story entirely. There was no key hole or push button ignition. It had a highly advance touch ignition. Miss Lily put her whole hand on the dash and then removed it. The vehicle started and said 'welcome back'. Who knew a vehicle could talk? The dash also provided phone, radio, and air conditioning. We arrived at the clothing shop a few minutes later. It seems like the town is pretty compact. The three of us entered the average sized shop named, Fellow Clothes. The shop seemed to have a wide variety of clothing. From sweatpants to dress pants, t-shirts to dress shirts, and jackets to dinner coats. It was also obvious that Mike knew the manager there.
"Mike what a nice surprise! What you doing here? Did you already destroy you police uniform?" A man in a tuxedo stated as he walked up to greet Mike. His voice a bit more on the feminine side, but he seemed friendly.
"Hah! No Derek, My wife and I are actually here to get some clothes for this guy." Mike explained as he pointed to me.
"Ah! I see! I haven't seen this kid before. Have you two been doing it behind my back!" Derek stated as they all three had a good laugh. I kinda feel segregated after that one.
"Of course not Derek, I would not want Lily to be hurt more than she already has been." Mike said turning around and giving Miss Lily a kiss on the lips. I must of missed something. How was Miss Lily hurt?
"Alright what is his name?" They all looked at me, then Miss Lily and Mike looked at each other.
"We do not have a clue." They said in unison.
"Alright... What is your name?" Derek stated directing the question to me.
"Oh um... my name is Illium." I said in a surprised tone.
"Such a intriguing name. Where did you get it?" Derek asked with an eyebrow raised.
I could not tell them that the name was a name I used in a video game; using my real name would probably not be a good idea.
"My mother gave it to me at birth. It is supposed to mean light, or short for illuminate." I said thinking quick.
"I see. Well Illium, Let's get you some new clothes." After he said that he took me back and I picked a weeks worth of night and day clothes. I ended up coming out of the changing room with a dark blue, v-neck t-shirt on, with a light blue pair of jeans, and and pair of blue tennis shoes.
"That looks good on you!" Miss Lily exclaimed. "Now time for us to get you school supplies!
Once we gathered up all the bags of clothing, we headed out. I felt really guilty. Miss Lily and Mike must have spent well over $1000 dollars to get me clothes, and now they are buying me school supplies. Should I even let them do this for me? I need to get home one day. We shortly arrived to a little shop named, School and Stuff. On the outside it looked fairly small, but would get the job done. The inside was a different story; it was huge. The shop was filled with all kinds of writing utensils, backpacks, notebooks, and any other school related items. We walked around the store and since I didn't know much about the currency here I decided to ask Miss Lily.
"Excuse me, Miss Lily?" I asked as I turned to her. "Yes Illium? What is your question?" She responded.
"What is currency in this world?" I asked a little embarrassed. "Ah, poor thing, you really don't know." She mumbled.
"Currency in this part of the world runs off of the dollar and change." She said taking out a 10 dollar bill with a few coins.
"So currency is a little bit like my world." I stated looking at the coins and bill.
The bill didn't have the usual white house on back, but instead had a seal that looked like the world. On the front, it still had the usual world leader. Of course I did not know who it was. The coins were just a bit different. They were a bit heavier in weight and still had the same color the U.S. coins had. I don't think they were made from the same material.
After I zoned looking at the coins and bill I realized I wasn't paying attention. Miss Lily and Mike were talking to someone; maybe a acquaintance? She looked quite young, about as old as me. She might be sixteen? She had long blond hair in a pony tail. She looked like she had the body of every cheerleader. The only different was, she had ears and a tail. They were more cat like and they were the same as her hair color. She ended up noticing that I was staring at her.
"Who is that Mrs. Casey?" The girl spoke to Miss Lily, as she pointed at me. This girl's voice sounded like she could sing. I bet if she burst into song she would gain applause all around the store.
"Ah, this is Illium. He will attend your school sweetie, and he lives with us." Miss Lily responded.
"Zeke never told me about having someone else living with him." The meifwa questioned as she walked up to me.
"Actually Mary, we haven't told Zeke yet." Mike chimed in.
"Oh I see." Mary directed towards Mike, "Nice to meet you, I'm Mary." The miss directed towards me in a cheery voice.
"Ah, um nice to meet you Mary. I'm Illium, pleased to meet you." I said surprised, but with courtesy.
"How sweet, so you plan to go to Vale High School? What classes are you planning to take? What is your ability? Is it anything like Zeke's lightning hyper-drive?" Mary stated rapidly.
I caught some of what she said though. What classes should I take? Zeke has a ability called lightning hyper-drive? I just decided to answer with the simplest answer I could come up with.
"I don't really know since I haven't seen the classes Vale gives. I also don't have the ability Zeke has. That's something you will have to found out once you get to know me." I stated feeling confident in my answer.
Miss Lily ended up laughing at the whole matter. "Haha, I think you two will end up being friends. We gotta go now Mary, be careful on your way home!"
"Alright Mrs. Casey! Bye have a good day and be safe! See you at school Illium!" Mary yelled as we walked out the store with the school supplies. She seems nice I think to myself. She does know Zeke though. I wonder how he is, maybe I should ask.
As we headed to the car I decided to ask Miss Lily what Zeke is like.
"Miss Lily, what is Zeke like?" I asked helping her with the items.
"Well my son is a little rude sometimes. Defiant like most teenage boys. You see, that girl inside is his girlfriend. She is a very sweet girl though." Miss Lily answered as she began to ramble about past subjects.
That was not much help. I just hope Zeke is not shocked by a complete stranger just moving in on short notice. Well, no notice at all.